Removable Sole Cross-Link for Tracked Vehicle Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cross-links for tracked vehicles are unsuitable for both hard surfaces, where they cause damage, and soft surfaces, where they lack traction, due to their design and materials, which are either too harsh or inadequate for enhanced traction.

Innovation Solution

A cross-link design featuring an elongate member with a channel and wheel guide, allowing for a removable sole to minimize impact on hard surfaces while providing enhanced traction on soft surfaces by adjusting the sole's presence based on terrain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal cross-links are used, then structural strength is improved, but damage to hard surfaces worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddamage to hard surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cross-link is divided into two functional parts: a metal elongate member providing structural strength and a separate rubber sole providing surface protection. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rubber sole acts as an intermediary between the metal cross-link and the ground surface. This intermediary layer absorbs the harmful interaction with hard surfaces while the metal structure remains protected from direct contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If rubber envelope is permanently embedded, then impact on hard surfaces is reduced, but traction on soft terrain deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact on hard surfacesVSAvoidtraction on soft terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber sole is made detachable rather than permanently fixed, allowing the configuration to change dynamically based on operational requirements. The sole can be removed when soft terrain traction is needed and attached when hard surface protection is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The presence or absence of the rubber sole changes the ground-engaging parameters of the cross-link. By removing the sole, the metal cross-link directly engages the ground for maximum traction; by attaching the sole, the ground engagement characteristics change for surface protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If urethane shoes are bolted, then impact on hard surfaces is reduced, but cost increases and stone trapping occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact on hard surfacesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber sole is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This approach is more economical than expensive urethane shoes while achieving the same protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The rubber sole provides localized protection exactly where ground contact occurs, without requiring complex bolted constructions. The simple rubber material naturally prevents stone trapping while maintaining the protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If metal cross-links are used, then traction capability is improved, but damage to hard surfaces worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction capabilityVSAvoiddamage to hard surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2271543B1Cross-links for a track of a tracked vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.12.09 PRINOTH LTD

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2

AI summary

A cross-link for a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the belts having a ground- facing side. In one embodiment, the cross-link comprises an elongate member for mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate member having a belt- engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facing side when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongate member defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair of sidewalls opposite one another on either side of the bottom portion. The cross-link also comprises a sole mountable in the channel for engaging a ground surface on which the tracked vehicle travels, the sole comprising a pair of sidewall- engaging surfaces for engaging the sidewalls when the sole is mounted in the channel.